Hold the Sour Cream: Purim: My First Vegan Hamantaschen

Last week was the Jewish holiday Purim, which commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from the hands of the ancient Persians, as narrated in the biblical Book of Ester. According to this book, Haman, the King's adviser, plots to have all the Jews annihilated. I won't recount the entire story in this post (though the Book of Ester may be found here), so to make a long story short, his plan is thwarted by Jewish heroes Mordechai and Ester and the Persian Jews are saved from Haman's evil decree.

According to Jewish custom, we do the following every Purim:

1) Chant the Book of Ester aloud in synagogue and make lots of noise whenever Haman's name is read.
2) Dress up in costumes and drink until we "can't tell the difference between cursing Haman and blessing Mordechai."
3) Give gifts or money to charity.
4) Eat hamantaschen

What is a hamantaschen?

It's a triangular-shaped cookie (symbolizing Haman's triangular hat) filled with jelly.

This year, Melissa and I went to the small synagogue we have been attending lately for Friday night services. The children of the synagogue had made masks for everyone in Sunday School and were selling them at the door for two gryvnas (25 cents) a piece.

Surprisingly, they read the Book of Ester in Russian, not Hebrew, and although I didn't understand most of what was read, I had no trouble recognizing Haman's name and booing/stomping my feet.

This is the blessing over the megilla (scroll) of Ester... Note the transliteration in Cyrillic!

Afterward, there was a little party in the next room,which had been stocked with plenty of food, booze, and of course, hamantaschen.
"Come, come" said the President of the synagogue, a short, older man who says everything on his mind, "we have plenty of vodka, cognac, wine, and beer. There's something for every one's taste!"

Unfortunately, aside from the alcohol, there were few vegan options available: The table was set with traditional Ukrainian-Jewish fare such as dried fish and butter on black bread, roasted chicken legs, cabbage and mayonnaise salad, assorted candies and caviar, fruit, nuts, and of course hamantaschen. Melissa and I ate mostly peanuts and fruit, as even hamantaschen are made with eggs and butter.

Returning home that night, mostly unsatisfied, I decided to take a crack at my first vegan hamantaschen. I found a no-egg recipe online, modified it slightly, and put our little toaster oven to work.

Hamantaschen, No Egg
Source: Adapted from "Bakin' Without Eggs"
Yield: About 10 Small Cookies

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup margarine, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/8 cup orange juice

In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, margarine, sugar, water, and vanilla.

Chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Preheat (toaster) oven to 375°F. Lightly grease 1 cookie sheet.

Roll out dough to 1/4" thickness. Cut out 3" circles with cookie cutters.

Place spoonfuls of desired filling into center of each circle and fold into triangular shape.